Electric heating/warming fabric articles

ABSTRACT

Electric heating/warming composite fabric articles have at least a fabric layer having inner and outer surfaces, and an electric heating/warming element, formed, e.g., of die cut metallized textile or plastic sheeting or metal foil, affixed at a surface of the fabric layer and adapted to generate heating/warming when connected to a power source. A air-and-water droplet resistant and water vapor permeable barrier layer may be positioned, for example, adjacent to the fabric layer; e.g., with the electric heating/warming element formed thereupon or at least partially impregnated therein, e.g. in a fabric laminate or in a composite formed by application of heat and pressure to at least one layer of a barrier film disposed adjacent thereto, including to protect the electric circuit, e.g. against abrasion, moisture, and or against physical stress due, e.g., to repeated crushing, bending or flexing. Methods of forming electric heating/warming composite fabric articles are also described and claimed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/927,665, filed Aug. 27, 2004, which is acontinuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/339,083, filed Jan. 9, 2003, which claims benefit from U.S.application Ser. No. 60/386,180, filed Jan. 14, 2002, now abandoned.Each of these applications is expressly incorporated by reference hereinin its entirety.

TECHINICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to electrical resistance heating/warming textilearticles.

BACKGROUND

Techniques known for augmenting heating/warming capabilities of clothingfabric include adding electric wires to the fabric, typically byincorporating the wires directly into the fabric or by attaching thewires to the fabric, e.g., by sewing. It is also known, e.g., from Grosset al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,021,640, to print an electrical circuit with aresistance heating element on a plastic sheet, such as MYLAR®, and toincorporate strips of the plastic sheet into a fabric article, such as aglove.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a method of forming an electric heating/warming fabricarticle comprises configuring a planar, sheet-form conductive layerelement, formed of electrically conductive material selected from thegroup consisting of metallized textile, metallized plastic sheeting, andmetal foil, into an electrically conductive circuit with shapecorresponding to a selected surface region of a wearer's body, with oneor more circuit regions of relatively higher resistivity among one ormore circuit regions of relatively lower resistivity, the one or morecircuit regions of relatively higher resistivity positioned forcorrelation with one or more selected heating regions of the wearer'sbody; attaching the circuit to at least one of a first broad surface anda second broad surface of a fabric body in an arrangement correspondingto the selected surface region and in correlation with the one or moreselected heating regions; and, upon application of electrical current tothe circuit, producing localized heating in the one or more circuitregions of relatively higher resistivity of the circuit attached uponthe fabric body for preferential heating of the one or more selectedheating regions of the wearer's body.

Using a sheet-form conductive layer to form the circuit provides arobust, flat, and pliable heating/warming element that can be easilymanufactured and readily attached to a textile to form a fabric article.The flexible nature of the conductive layer provides good dexterity whenthe heating/warming element is used in a glove or other article ofclothing in which flexibility is useful. The sheet-form conductive layercan also be readily configured in various circuits and geometries, e.g.,to provide differential heating to different areas of an article, aswill be discussed further below.

Some implementations of this aspect may include one or more of thefollowing features. The electrically conductive metallized textile isincorporated with a suitable thermoplastic polymeric material to lockfibers of the electrically conductive metallized textile in a manner toresist local increase in resistivity due to physical stress from one ormore of repeated crushing, bending and flexing. The suitablethermoplastic polymeric material is applied in fluid state or hot meltand forming a fabric laminate incorporating the impregnated electricallyconducting metallized textile. The laminate is a woven fabric,preferably a lightweight woven fabric stable in warp and filldirections. The metallized textile may be at least partially impregnatedby application of predetermined conditions of heat, pressure and time toat least one layer of the suitable thermoplastic polymeric material inthe form of a film disposed adjacent the metallized textile to be atleast partially impregnated, e.g. by applying heat of about 350° F. atpressure of about 7 psi for about 50 seconds. The metallized textile maybe at least partially impregnated with a suitable thermoplasticpolymeric barrier material that has characteristics of beingair-and-water-droplet resistant and being water vapor permeable, e.g.urethane. Configuring comprises die-cutting or subjecting a sheetmaterial to metal coating, plating or deposition. Attaching comprisesjoining the conductive layer and fabric body with adhesive. The term“adhesive,” as used herein, refers to any material that will join thelayers, including both liquid adhesives and non-liquid, flowablematerials such as hot melt webs (commercially available, e.g., fromBostik Co.).

The method further comprises forming an article of clothing includingthe fabric body. Forming comprises shaping the circuit to conform to theshape of the article of clothing selected, e.g., from the groupconsisting of gloves, socks, sweaters, jackets, shirts, pants, hats,footwear, ear muffs, neck warmers, medical braces, medical bands, kneepads, back pads, and joint pads. Forming comprises shaping the circuitto conform, e.g., to the shape of a glove, to the shape of an article offootwear, or to the shape of a garment, such as a shirt or jacket.

In some implementations, by varying the effective electricity-conductingvolume, e.g., the cross-sectional area, of the heating/warming elementin selected regions, the level of heat generation can be locallycontrolled. (For heating/warming elements of uniform thickness, e.g.,those formed of metal foil, the effective volume is typically adjustedby variation of the width and/or length.) For example, in aheating/warming element for use in a shoe, the volume of theheating/warming element in the region of the toes may preferably be lessthan its volume in the heel region, thus creating greater resistivity inthe region of the toes and greater heat generation. Similarly, for usein gloves, the effective volume of the heating/warming element in theregion of the fingers will preferably be less (for greater resistivityand heat generation) than in the palm region.

The method comprises providing circuit regions of relatively higherresistivity comprises by reducing the cross-sectional area of one ormore selected regions of the circuit. The method comprises providingcircuit regions of relatively higher resistivity comprises by reducingthe conductivity of one or more selected regions of the circuit. Theelectric heating/warming article is incorporated into an article ofclothing, and the method further comprises positioning the one or morecircuit regions of relatively higher resistivity for correlation withone or more selected heating regions of the wearer's body adjacent thewearer's extremities when the article of clothing is worn. The methodfurther comprises incorporating the electric heating/warming articleinto an article of clothing, and positioning the one or more circuitregions of relatively higher resistivity for correlation with one ormore selected heating regions of the wearer's body adjacent regions ofthe wearer's body where blood flow is close to the skin surface when thearticle of clothing is worn. This allows more heat to be delivered tothe extremities, which are prone to vasorestriction in cold weather.

In some instances, heat can be provided to a user's extremities byproviding heat to a region through which a large volume of blood supplyflows, for example the wrist. In general, an area of relatively highresistivity can be provided adjacent to a major blood vessel or vesselslarger than capillaries that pass sufficiently near the skin surface.Accordingly, heat may be conducted directly from the surface of the skininto the blood flowing through the major blood vessel or vessels towarda body extremity, providing heat to the extremity.

The method also includes attaching the circuit to at least one broadsurface of a fabric body comprising a textile material selected from thegroup consisting of weft knitted materials, warp knitted materials,woven materials, and nonwoven materials. The method may also includeinterposing a barrier layer between the fabric body and the sheet-formconductive layer, e.g., by interposing an air-and-water-dropletresistant, water vapor permeable barrier layer between the fabric bodyand the sheet-form conductive layer. The method further comprisesattaching an outer surface of the air-and-water-droplet resistant, watervapor permeable barrier layer to the fabric layer, and attaching aninner surface of the barrier layer to the sheet-form conductive layer.Attaching comprises joining the layers with adhesive. A barrier isgenerally used in situations where wind protection is desired.

The method further includes connecting the circuit to a power source, togenerate heating/warming. The method further comprises incorporating theelectric heating/warming fabric article into a home furnishing textilearticle, e.g. a blanket, throw, sleeping bag or mattress cover.Configuring of the circuit comprises configuring the circuit as a seriescircuit, or as a parallel circuit. The method further comprisesproviding to at least one of the first broad surface and the secondbroad surface of the fabric body with a smooth surface, a raisedsurface, or a brushed surface.

In another aspect, a method of forming an electric heating/warmingfabric article comprises, e.g., die-cutting, laser cutting, manualcutting or stamping a sheet-form conductive layer to form anelectrically conductive circuit wherein a first portion of theconductive layer is relatively narrower to increase localized heatingand a second portion of the conductive layer is relatively wider todecrease localized heating; attaching the circuit to an outer surface ofa fabric body; incorporating the fabric body into an article ofclothing; and connecting a power source to the circuit, therebyproducing localized heating of the fabric body upon application ofelectrical current to the circuit.

In yet another aspect, a heating/warming fabric article comprises afabric layer having a broad first surface and a broad second surface,and, attached to at least one of the broad first surface and the broadsecond surface, a planar, sheet-form conductive layer element, formed ofmaterial selected from the group consisting of metallized textile,metallized plastic sheeting, and metal foil, formed into an electricallyconductive circuit with shape corresponding to a selected surface regionof a wearer's body and with one or more circuit regions of relativelyhigher resistivity among one or more circuit regions of relatively lowerresistivity, the one or more circuit regions of relatively higherresistivity positioned for correlation with one or more selected heatingregions of the wearer's body, the sheet-form conductive layer element,upon application of electrical current to the circuit, producinglocalized heating in the one or more circuit regions of relativelyhigher resistivity of the circuit attached upon the fabric body forpreferential heating of the one or more selected heating regions of thewearer's body.

Some implementations of this aspect include one or more of the followingfeatures. The electrically conductive metallized textile is impregnatedwith a suitable thermoplastic polymeric material that locks fibers ofthe electrically conductive metallized textile in a manner to resistlocal increase in resistivity due to physical stress of one or more ofrepeated crushing, bending and flexing. The impregnated, electricallyconductive metallized textile is incorporated in a fabric laminate.Preferably, the fabric laminate is a woven fabric laminate. Morepreferably, the woven fabric laminate is a lightweight woven fabriclaminate stable in warp and fill directions. The metallized textile isat least partially impregnated with a suitable thermoplastic polymericbarrier material having characteristics of being air-and-water-dropletresistant and being water permeable, e.g. urethane. The fabric layercomprises a textile material selected from the group consisting of weftknitted materials, warp knitted materials, woven materials, and nonwovenmaterials. The fabric article comprises an article of clothing, e.g.selected from the group consisting of gloves, socks, sweaters, jackets,shirts, pants, hats, footwear, ear muffs, neck warmers, medical braces,medical bands, knee pads, back pads, and joint pads. The fabric articlecomprises a blanket, throw, sleeping bag or mattress cover. Theheating/warming fabric article further comprises adhesive interposedbetween the conductive layer and fabric body. The article of clothingcomprises an article.

The circuit includes areas of relatively higher resistivity and areas ofrelatively lower resistivity to provide regions of relatively higherlocalized heating and regions of relatively lower localized heating. Theareas of relatively higher and relatively lower resistivity compriseregions of relatively lesser and relatively greater cross-sectionalarea, respectively. The fabric article comprises an article of clothing,and the one or more circuit regions of relatively higher resistivitypositioned for correlation with one or more selected heating regions ofthe wearer's body is positioned adjacent a wearer's extremities when thearticle of clothing is worn. The fabric article comprises an article ofclothing, and the one or more circuit regions of relatively higherresistivity positioned for correlation with one or more selected heatingregions of the wearer's body is positioned adjacent regions of thewearer's body where arteries are close to the skin surface when thearticle of clothing is worn.

The heating/warming fabric article further comprises a barrier layerbetween the fabric layer and sheet-formed conductive layer. The barrierlayer, fabric layer, and sheet-formed conductive layer are joined byadhesive. The circuit comprises a series circuit or a parallel circuit.The circuit is asymmetrical.

The heating/warming fabric article further comprises a temperaturesensor for measuring the temperature of a portion of the circuit. Thetemperature sensor is configured to measure the temperature of a firstportion of the circuit, and the first portion of the circuit isconfigured to have the same resistance as a second portion of thecircuit, to allow the temperature of the second portion to be estimatedby measuring the temperature of the first portion. For example, a firstsection can be positioned at the back of a glove with resistance similarto the resistance of a second section positioned in the extremities ofthe glove, for example the finger tips. The heating/warming fabricarticle further comprises a controller configured to adjust the powersupplied to the circuit in response to changes in the measuredtemperature. For example, the temperature controller can be set to beactivated if the temperature of the sensor drops below a setting. Atleast one of the inner surface and the outer surface of the fabric layerhas a smooth surface or a raised surface or a brushed surface. Thearticle of clothing includes one or more of the following: gloves,footwear, and/or a garment such as a shirt or jacket.

The details of one or more implementations are set forth in theaccompanying drawings and the description below. Other features,objects, and advantages will be apparent from the description anddrawings.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 1A are somewhat diagrammatic exploded side edge views of thecomponents forming the first implementations of a heating/warmingcomposite fabric article constructed in accordance with the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a somewhat diagrammatic side edge view of the heating/warmingcomposite fabric article of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are somewhat diagrammatic front plan views of the innersurfaces of heating/warming composite fabric articles of FIGS. 1 and 2,with electric heating/warming elements affixed thereupon, e.g., for aglove (FIG. 3), for an article of footwear (FIG. 4), and for a garmentsuch as a shirt or jacket (FIG. 5); and

FIG. 6 is a somewhat diagrammatic front view of a garment, i.e., ajacket, incorporating the heating/warming composite fabric article ofFIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a somewhat diagrammatic exploded side edge view of componentsforming another implementation of a heating/warming composite fabricarticle constructed in accordance with the disclosure; and

FIG. 8 is a somewhat diagrammatic side edge view of the heating/warmingcomposite fabric article of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a somewhat diagrammatic side edge view of anotherimplementation of a heating/warming composite fabric article constructedin accordance with the disclosure.

FIGS. 10 and 11 are sequential, somewhat diagrammatic front plan viewsof the inner surface of a heating/warming composite fabric articleduring construction in accordance with another implementation.

FIG. 12 is a somewhat diagrammatic exploded side edge view of componentsforming another implementation of a heating/warming composite fabricarticle constructed in accordance with the disclosure, while FIGS. 13and 14 are somewhat diagrammatic side edge views of alternateimplementations of the heating/warming composite fabric article of FIG.12.

FIGS. 15-17 are somewhat diagrammatic front plan views of an electricheating/warming element for use in a glove.

FIG. 18 is a somewhat diagrammatic end view of an electricheating/warming element consisting of a woven fabric laminateincorporating an electrically conductive metallized textile at leastpartially impregnated with a suitable thermoplastic polymeric material.

FIGS. 19 and 19A are similar diagrammatic end views of electricheating/warming elements, each consisting of a composite elementincluding an electrically conductive metallized textile at leastpartially impregnated with a suitable thermoplastic polymeric materialfrom two opposed sheets of barrier film or a single sheet ofthermoplastic polymeric barrier material film, respectively, disposedadjacent the metallized thermoplastic barrier material and exposed toconditions of heat and temperature.

FIG. 20 is a somewhat diagrammatic front plan view of an electricheating/warming element for use in a glove, including a temperaturesensing element.

FIG. 21 is a somewhat diagrammatic front plan view of an electricheating/warming element that includes a parallel circuit.

FIG. 22 is a somewhat diagrammatic front plan view of an electricheating/warming element for use in an article of footwear.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This application relates to the disclosure of our prior co-pendingpatent applications U.S. application Ser. No. 09/298,722, filed Apr. 23,1999, U.S. application Ser. No. 09/389,761, filed Sep. 9, 1999, U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/175,202, filed Jan. 10, 2000, U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/261,544, filed Jan. 12, 2001, U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/386,180, filed Jan. 14, 2002, and U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/339,083, filed Jan. 9, 2003 the completedisclosure of each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

According to one preferred implementation, the heating/warming element16 consists of die cut conductive sheet material, through which anelectric current is conducted for producing local heating. Theconductive sheet material may be, for example, a metallized sheet, e.g.,a metallized textile or metallized plastic sheeting or a metal foil, ora conductive textile, e.g., a knitted, woven or non-woven materialcontaining conductive fibers or yarns. The heating/warming element maybe incorporated, e.g., directly or in the form of a textile laminate,into or upon articles of clothing or footwear, and into or upon homefurnishings such as blankets and the like. Electric current, e.g.alternating current, via a power cord and plug, or direct current, via abattery, is then applied through the element to cause generation ofheat, due to electric resistance.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, in a first implementation, awindproof, water-resistant, and vapor permeable electric heating/warmingcomposite fabric article 10 constructed in accordance with thisdisclosure has three major components. These components include a fabriclayer 12, a barrier layer 14 and an electric heating/warming element 16,wherein the fabric layer 12 and barrier layer 14 are joined at opposedfabric inner surface 13 and barrier outer surface 15, respectively, byadhesive 18.

Referring to FIG. 1A, in another implementation the barrier layer 14 maybe omitted. In this case, the electric heating/warming composite fabricarticle includes a fabric layer 12 and an electric heating/warmingelement 16. The inner surface 13 of the fabric layer 12 is joined to theinner surface 17 of the electric heating/warming element 16 by adhesive18.

In both of the implementations shown in FIGS. 1 and 1A, the fabricarticle 10 may further include a second fabric layer (not shown), withthe heating/warming element and the barrier layer (if included) beinginterposed between the two fabric layers.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 1A, and 2, in preferred implementations, thefabric layer 12 is made in any well known manner, e.g. the fabric layer12 may be a knitted material, e.g., a plaited circular knitted orreverse plaited circular knitted material, or other circular knittedmaterial (such as double knitted, single jersey knitted, two-end fleeceknitted, three-end fleece knitted, terry knitted or double loop knittedmaterial), or warp knitted or weft knitted material, or a woven ornon-woven material. In applications where the fabric layer 12 of thefabric article 10 will be directed outwardly, away from the wearer'sskin, the material of the fabric layer is preferably hydrophobic, inorder to resist penetration of liquids. In other applications, where thefabric layer 12 of the fabric article 10 will be directed inwardly,toward the wearer's skin, the material of the fabric layer is preferablynaturally hydrophilic, chemically rendered hydrophilic, or hydrophobic,in order to enhance removal and transport of perspiration away from theskin. The inner surface 13 of fabric layer 12, to which the adhesive 18is adhered, is preferably flat. The exposed, outer surface 20 of fabriclayer 12 may be flat or raised, e.g. by brushing, sanding or napping,and/or may be otherwise provided with decorative and functional featuresand finishes, e.g. as well known in the art.

Preferably, the barrier layer 14 is formed of a vapor permeable membranewhich is nonporous hydrophilic or micro-porous hydrophobic or acombination of both, e.g. in layers, as appropriate to the nature of theintended use, or as otherwise desired. In certain implementations, itmay also be preferred that the material of the barrier layer 14 be softand stretchable. The barrier layer may be constructed and/or formulatedto resist penetration of air and water droplets from passing through thecomposite fabric article 10 while being permeable to water vapor. Inapplications where it is desired that the fabric article 10 isstretchable, the fabric layer 12 may typically be a knitted material,and a preferred material for barrier layer 14 is poly urethane, e.g. asavailable from UCB Chemical Corp. of Drogenbos, Belgium, eithermicro-porous hydrophobic (preferred for use where the barrier layer 14is directed outward) or nonporous hydrophilic (preferred for use wherethe barrier layer 14 is directed inward). Alternatively, in situationswhere relatively less stretch is required, e.g. in footwear, the fabriclayer 12 may be a warp knitted material, and a preferred material forbarrier layer 14 is poly tetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), e.g., as availablefrom Tetratec, of Feasterville, Pa.

The barrier layer 14 is joined to the inner surface 13 of fabric layer12 by adhesive 18, typically applied in spots, lines or other discreteregions, or by attachment, lamination or other suitable manner ofcombining. A similar composite fabric (but having an additional internalfabric layer) is described in commonly assigned Lumb et al. U.S. Pat.No. 5,364,678, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference. Referring also to FIG. 3, electric heating/warming element 16is disposed upon the outer surface 22 of barrier layer 14.

In one implementation, the electric heating/warming element 16 is formedof metallized textile (including metallized textile fibers), or plasticsheeting or metal foil. Suitable metallized textiles are available,e.g., from Schlegel Systems Inc. of Rochester, N.Y. The textile may bemetallized by any suitable technique, e.g., by metal coating, plating,or deposition, using chemical, electrical or mechanical techniques. Themetal coating or deposit is made of a conductive material that providesa very low resistance, typically less than about 500 ohms per square.Examples of suitable conductive materials include silver, copper,nickel, nickel-chrome, and combinations of these metals. The metallizedtextile or plastic sheeting or metal foil can be produced in any desiredelectrically continuous (in whole or in part) circuit or produced insheets and then die cut into the desired pattern. The element (or itsparts) is then attached or inserted, e.g., alone or laminated to orbetween one or two layers of suitable non-conductive material, onto, orinto, the fabric layer 12, to form a textile product. For a textilearticle in the form of a blanket, formation of the electricheating/warming element as a die cut stamping allows the buses to beformed integrally with the heating elements. The heating elements may bespaced asymmetrically so that selected regions get preferentially warmerthan other regions, or, as described in more detail below, by providingselected heating elements or regions that have relatively lesscross-sectional area, e.g. are relatively more narrow or otherwise haverelatively greater resistance, than other heating elements or regions,for relatively greater localized generation of heat, can be provided toselected regions.

Alternatively, the heating/warming element may be formed of a conductivetextile, e.g., a textile that includes conductive fibers and/or yarns.Suitable conductive fibers and yarns include, for example, carbon andpolyaniline.

The predetermined pattern of the heating/warming element 16 may becustom designed for the particular purpose for which the compositefabric article 10 is to be used. For example, the pattern of theheating/warming element 16 of the composite fabric article 10 of FIG. 3is designed for use in making a glove. For this purpose, the electricheating/warming element 16 forms a pattern having four elongatedbranches 28A, 28B, 28C, 28D (corresponding to fingers of a glove) andone or more sections 28F (corresponding to the palm or back of the bodyof a glove).

The heating/warming element 16 is formed as a continuous circuit,terminating at each end in a contact pad 28G, 28H, respectively. Thecontact pads preferably are disposed adjacent to each other in a regionconvenient for connection to a source of electrical current, e.g. for aglove, as shown, in a region to form the wrist of the glove. Stillreferring to FIG. 3, the heating/warming element 16 is connected, bywire conductors 30, 32 extending from contact pads 28G, 28H,respectively, in a circuit including a switch 34 and a power supply,e.g., a battery pack 36. When switch 34 is closed, the heating/warmingelement 16 is activated to generate heat/warmth.

The pattern features of the heating/warming element 16 shown in FIG. 3are sized and shaped to conform to the regions of the resulting fabricarticle, i.e., the glove, so that the composite fabric can readily becut to form one side of a glove. Patterns for use in other types andsizes of garments and fabric articles, e.g. such as socks, sweaters,jackets, shirts, pants, hats, gloves, footwear (e.g. shoes and boots)and so on, can be generated in a similar manner, e.g., as will bediscussed below with reference to FIGS. 4-6.

Referring to FIG. 4, a composite fabric article 40 has a heating/warmingelement 42 sized and shaped to conform to the regions of the selectedresulting fabric article, i.e., in this implementation, a boot, to beheated/warmed so that the composite fabric can readily be cut to beformed and/or incorporated into a boot liner. In particular, theheating/warming element 42 has heating/warming regions 44, 45, withsections of relatively reduced cross-sectional area for increasedresistivity and heat generation, corresponding to the toe/ball and heelsurfaces, respectively, of a wearer's foot. The heating/warming element42, which forms a circuit, terminates at each end in a contact pad 46,47, respectively. The contacts pads are disposed adjacent to each otherin a region convenient for connection to a source of power, e.g., asshown, in a region to extend into or above the ankle collar of the boot.

Referring to FIG. 5, a composite fabric article 50 has a heating/warmingelement 56 sized and shaped to conform to the regions of the selectedresulting fabric article, i.e., in this implementation, the oppositechest surfaces of a garment such as a shirt or a jacket 60 (FIG. 6), tobe heated/warmed. The heating/warming element 56 terminates at each endin a contact pad 58, 59, respectively, the pads being disposed adjacentto each other in a region convenient for connection to a source ofpower, as discussed below.

Referring also to FIG. 6, a pair of fabric articles 50 is shownincorporated into jacket 60. A battery pack 68 for powering each of theheating/warming composite fabric articles 50 is contained in theassociated zippered pockets 70, 71. The battery pack 68, e.g. asavailable from Polaroid Corporation, of Cambridge, Mass., is preferablyremovably connected to the contact pads 58, 59 of heating/warmingelement 56 by releasable fastening elements 72, e.g. clips, snaps orother secure but releasable fastening elements. (The fastening elementsmay provide the electrical connection of the battery pack to thecircuit, or, alternatively, may maintain the battery pack in positionfor contact of the battery pack with separate connectors.) Thisarrangement permits the battery pack 68 to be removed, e.g., wheneverthe fabric article 50 is to be washed, or for replacement or forrecharging. The heating/warming circuit 56 may also include anoscillator chip 74 or other timing or cycling device for cyclingapplication of electrical power from the battery pack 68 to theheating/warming element 56, e.g., to extend battery pack life. Forexample, a timing cycle of three minutes “on” followed by one minute“off” is considered suitable for an electric heating/warming compositefabric article 50 incorporated as a chest panel of the heating/warmjacket 60 suited for outdoors use.

In one preferred implementation, a composite fabric article 10 is formedby first combining the fabric layer 12 and barrier layer 14 withadhesive 18 disposed therebetween. An electric heating/warming element16 is then affixed upon the surface 22 of the barrier layer 14. Theresulting composite fabric article 10 is cut to shape, and otherwiseprocessed using standard clothing procedures, for incorporation, e.g.,into an article of clothing or the like. Alternatively, theheating/warming element 16 may be affixed upon the surface 22 of thebarrier layer 14, before the barrier layer 14 and the fabric layer 12are secured together.

Referring next to FIGS. 7 and 8, in another implementation, an electricheating/warming composite fabric article 110 consists of a fabric layer112 having an inner surface 114 upon which an electric heating/warmingelement 116 is disposed.

In implementations where the heating/warming element 116 is affixeddirectly to the fabric layer 112, the composite fabric article 110 maybe employed without a barrier layer. Alternatively, a pair of fabricarticles 110 may be incorporated into a garment, e.g. a jacket 60, asshown in FIG. 6, where the outer coverings 62, 64 of the opposite chestsurfaces of the jacket may be a shell material selected to provide abarrier layer overlaying the heating/warming composite fabric articles110 incorporated into the jacket.

The relative amounts of heat/warmth generated by a region of anelectrical heating/warming element in a composite heating/warming fabricarticle can be controlled, e.g., by varying the width and/or by varyingthe length and/or the thickness of a circuit element or segment, and/orby varying the conductivity/resistivity of the material forming asegment of the circuit element.

For example, referring to FIG. 5, a heating/warming element 56 formed ofmaterial of uniform conductivity and constant thickness has regions 80and 82 of contrasting width, and, therefore, contrasting cross sectionalarea. As a result, in region 80 of relatively greater width, there ismore conductivity, i.e. less resistance to current flow, and thusrelatively less generation of heat/warmth. Similarly, in region 82 ofrelatively lesser width, there is less conductivity, i.e. moreresistance to current flow, and thus relatively greater generation ofheat/warmth. As a result, a composite heating/warming fabric article 50can be designed with a circuit element 56 that delivers relativelygreater amounts of heat/warmth to selected regions of the wearer's body.

Alternatively, this effect may be obtained by applying a thinner layerof material, i.e., a region of relatively lesser cross sectional area.For example, referring to FIG. 9, a composite heating/warming fabricarticle 10′ has a heating/warming element 16′ having a region 90 ofrelatively lesser thickness (compared to adjacent regions).

Alternatively, or in addition, a heating/warming element of constantdimension but with regions generating relatively different levels ofheat/warmth may be formed by sequentially applying circuit regions usingmaterials of inherently different conductivity. For example, referringfirst to FIG. 10, showing a composite heating/warming fabric article100, a heating/warming element 102 is formed by affixing regions 104,106 of a material of relatively greater conductivity, and thereafter,referring to FIG. 11, affixing region 108 of a material of relativelylower conductivity, region 108 interconnecting regions 104, 106.

These and other methods for adjusting the conductivity of electricalcircuit regions may be employed alone, or in any desired combination.

The conductivity of various regions of the electrical circuit may beadjusted to suit the requirements of a particular application andthereby enhance wearer comfort. For example, in the case of gloves orfootwear, heating the extremities (fingers and toes) is important toproviding comfort, and generally the fingers and toes, especially attheir tips, require more heating than the rest of the hands and feet.Thus, it is may be desirable to generate more heat in these specificareas, which may be accomplished in any of the manners discussed above.

Preferred heating elements for use in gloves are shown in FIGS. 15 and16. In both of these implementations, the electric heating/warmingelement 116 forms a pattern having four elongated branches 128A, 128B,128C, 128D (corresponding to fingers of a glove) and sections 128E and128F (corresponding to the palm or back of the body of a glove). Aregion 129 is cut out, or is not metallized, to reduce the effectivearea of the conductive material. The presence of region 129 increasesthe resistivity of the branches 128A-128D, while not significantlyaffecting the conductivity of the palm sections 128E and 128F. As aresult, more heat will be generated in the branches 128A-128D than inthe palm sections.

Additionally, within the branches 128A-128D there are regions ofdifferent width. For example, in the implementation shown in FIG. 15,the branches 128A-128D include upper regions U, generally correspondingto the portion of the wearer's fingers from the first knuckle to thetip, and lower portions L, generally corresponding to the portion of thewearer's fingers from the first knuckle to the intersection of thefinger with the palm. The upper regions U are narrower than the lowerregions L, and thus have a greater resistivity and as a result generatemore heat at the wearer's fingertips.

When the pattern shown in FIG. 15 is powered by 3.0 volts direct currentsource with an element having a resistance of 4.8 Ohms, the temperaturegenerated in upper portions U is about 101° F. while the temperaturegenerated in lower portions L is about 80° F. This provides greater heatgeneration in the fingers, and particularly at the tips of the fingers,providing more comfort for the user while conserving battery power.

Similarly, in the implementation shown in FIG. 16, the width of thebranches 128A-128D is further varied, to provide relatively narrow areas31 and 33, generally corresponding, respectively, to the tips and firstknuckles of a wearer, and wide areas 32 and 34, generally correspondingto the areas between the knuckles of the wearer. In this example whenthe element is powered by a 3.0 volts direct current source with theelement having a resistance of 4.8 ohms, the temperature generated atnarrow areas 31 and 33 is about 101° F., while the temperature generatedat wide areas 32 and 34 is about 80° F. The section next to theterminals and in the palm area will have very low resistance and thuswill generate very little, if any, heat. Thus, the narrow areas 31 and33 provide high heat generation at the fingertips and close to thearteries (at the first knuckle). Providing heat generation at regionsclose to arteries helps to warm the blood and improve circulation. As aresult, the user's fingers are kept warm without overheating the rest ofthe user's hand, while also conserving battery power.

In some instances, heat can be provided to a user's extremities byproviding heat to a region through which a large volume of blood supplyflows. For example, heat can be provided through a user's skin and intothe user's bloodstream at a vascular surface location defined as an areawhere a major blood vessel or vessels larger than capillaries passsufficiently near the skin surface that heat may be conducted directlyfrom the surface of the skin into the blood flowing through the majorblood vessel or vessels toward a body extremity. Thus, the heated bloodsupply is then circulated to the user's extremities, resulting in warmerextremities.

Referring to FIG. 17, the electric heating/warming element 116 forms apattern having four elongated branches 128A, 128B, 128C, 128D(corresponding to fingers of a glove) placed in a manner similar to thatdepicted in FIG. 15. As discussed above, the presence of region 129 inthe elongated branches increases the resistivity of the fabric articlein the elongated branches. Similarly to region 129, a region 129′ is notmetallized, which reduces the effective area of the conductive material,and increases the resistivity in the corresponding portion of the fabricarticle. Region 129′ is positioned to cover the wrist of the user, wherea substantial blood supply flows towards the elongated branches throughmajor blood vessels, so the blood is heated as it passes through thewrist and towards the user's fingers. Accordingly, blood is heated bothat the wrists, as it flows to the fingers and fingertips, and directlyat the fingers and fingertips.

In the implementations shown in FIGS. 15, 16, and 17, power is deliveredto the circuit in the same manner as discussed above with reference toFIG. 3. That is, the heating/warming element 16 is formed as acontinuous circuit, terminating at each end in a contact pad 128G, 128H,respectively, for connection to a source of power, e.g., a battery pack136, by wire connectors 130, 132. In yet another implementation, theelectric heating/warming composite fabric article 110 described abovewith reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 may be further processed. For example,referring now to FIGS. 12, 13 and 14, in an electric heating/warmingcomposite fabric article 120, a barrier layer 122, e.g. as describedabove, is attached adjacent to the side of the inner surface 114 of thefabric layer, overlying at least a portion of the heating/warmingelement 116, e.g. using adhesive, also as described above. Preferably,contact pads 118 (only one is shown) of heating/warming element 116 areleft exposed for connection to a source of power (FIG. 13), orelectrical connectors 124 (only one is shown) are provided forconnecting the contact pads and power source through the barrier layer122 (FIG. 14).

In cases described above, the heating/warming element is supported by afabric layer, whether or not a barrier layer is provided. The fabriclayer may be naturally hydrophilic, chemically rendered hydrophilic, orhydrophobic. In some preferred implementations, a barrier layer isprovided at least adjacent to the inner surface of the fabric layer,i.e., attached to the fabric layer (with or without interveningmaterials) or spaced from attachment to or upon the fabric layer, butpositioned at the inner surface side of the fabric.

A barrier layer associated with or attached, e.g. by lamination or othertechniques, onto the surface of the fabric layer 12 upon which theheating/warming element 16 is affixed (e.g. barrier layers 62, 64, FIG.6; and barrier layer 122, FIGS. 12-14, respectively) serves also toprotect the circuit against the effects of abrasion that might otherwisedeteriorate the quality or continuity of the electrical heating circuit.The barrier layer also serves to resist short-circuiting in the eventcondensate forms on the fabric layer inner surface. The barrier layermay be formed of any suitable, protective thermoplastic material. Itwill preferably be micro porous hydrophobic or nonporous hydrophilic ifit is a complete layer. Where a complete layer is not desired oremployed, the barrier layer may be applied exclusively to the region ofthe printed circuit itself, in which case, it will preferably benonporous hydrophobic.

It has also been discovered that electrically conductive heating/warmingcircuits for use in fabric articles subject to physical stress ofrepeated crushing, bending and flexing during use, including articlessuch as garments, including footwear, sock, gloves, etc., home textiles,accessories, etc., may suffer from decay in resistivity performance,resulting, e.g., in gradual increase in resistance over localizedregions. Therefore, in another implementation, conductive metallizedtextile, e.g. in the form of metallized woven fabric material,configured into an electrically conductive heating/warming circuit bycutting in a suitable fashion, e.g. by laser cutting, die cutting,stamping, manual cutting, etc., is at least partially impregnated with asuitable thermoplastic material, to resist and reduce the effects ofrepeated physical crushing, bending and flexing during use.

Referring to FIG. 18, in one exemplary implementation, a laminatedelectric heating/warming element 250 consists of a circuit element 252formed of conductive metallized woven fibers, formed, e.g., of suitablesynthetic material such as nylon or polyester, at least partiallyimpregnated by a suitable synthetic material 254 applied in the form,e.g., of an adhesive, a hot melt adhesive, or a melted film, andincorporated in a fabric laminate 256 formed of two layers of wovenfabric 258, 259. The woven fabric selected for use in the laminatedelectric heating/warming element 250 is preferably a relativelylightweight fabric woven in both warp and fill directions to make thewoven fabric very stable.

Testing of the improved laminated electric heating/warming element 250has shown that increase in resistance is typically limited to about 10percent, as compared to increases of several hundred percent experiencedwith standard electric heating/warming elements (without at leastpartial impregnation) under similar testing conditions.

Referring now to FIGS. 19 and 19A, in other implementations, a compositeelectric heating/warming elements 260, 260′, respectively, are formed ofthermoplastic barrier film, e.g. polyurethane, or any suitable polymer,copolymer or block polymer, disposed at one surface (film 262; FIG. 19),or, more preferably, at both surfaces (films 262′, 263′; FIG. 19A) of aheating/warming circuit element 264, 264′, respectively, configured ofconductive metallized woven fibers, formed, e.g., of suitable syntheticmaterial, such as nylon or polyester.

By way of example, and with reference to FIG. 19A, an electricheating/warming circuit element 264′ is disposed between opposed layersof thermoplastic barrier material 262′, 263′, e.g. polyurethane film 6mil (0.006 inch) thick, forming a sandwich. In one implementation, thesandwich is subjected to heating at about 350° F. and pressure of about7 psi (pounds per square inch) for about 50 seconds. The polyurethanematerial is observed to flow into and through the metallized, wovenconductive fibers of the electric heating/warming circuit material tocreate an electric heating/warming element in which the heating/warmingcircuit element is at least partially impregnated by the polyurethanematerial of the barrier. The resulting composite electricheating/warming element has an overall thickness of about 2 mil (0.002inch).

In FIG. 19, a composite electric heating/warming element 260, formed byat least partial impregnation of an electric heating/warming circuitelement 264 by a single layer of thermoplastic barrier material 262 isshown.

In all three implementations, the impregnating material provides goodair-and-water-droplet resistance, and protection for the heating/warmingcircuit element in rainy conditions and wet environments. Theimpregnated unit can be laminated with woven fabric at one or bothsurfaces. Also, in some implementations, a breathable thermoplasticbarrier material may be employed to allow moisture vapor, i.e. sweatvapor, to pass through the barrier material for increased wearercomfort.

Also, as described above, both the laminated electric heating/warmingelement 250 and the composite electric heating/warming elements 260,260′ may thereafter be attached upon or associated with one surface orboth surfaces of a fabric article, F (suggested in dashed line in FIG.19A), including, e.g., garments, such as gloves, footwear, socks,apparel and apparel accessories, sleeping bags, heating pads for medicaltreatment and pain management, and the like.

Also, if desired, the temperature of a portion of the heating/warmingelement can be measured during use. For instance, a sensor can beincluded to determine the temperature at the fingertip of the glove. Thesensor can be placed at the fingertip, with conductive lead running downthe finger. However, this may interfere with dexterity, and thus it maybe desirable to simulate the fingertip temperature at another,alternative area of the glove and measure the temperature at thatalternative area. For example, in the heating/warming element 148 shownin FIG. 20, the temperature at fingertip 150 can be simulated byproviding two cut-out areas 152 in the palm region, near the conductors154, 156, that define a rectangular area 158 calculated to have the sameresistance as the portion of the circuit in the fingertip 150. Thus, thetemperature at the fingertip can be estimated remotely by measuring thetemperature of the area 158. This temperature data can be monitored, inconjunction with a controller 160, e.g., a voltage regulator, toautomatically shut off the battery or deliver less power to the circuitwhen a maximum temperature is detected, and to turn on the battery orincrease power delivery when a minimum temperature is detected.Alternatively, or in addition, the temperature can be displayed on aread-out 162, e.g. mounted on the glove. A manual control 164 can alsobe provided, to allow the wearer to turn the battery on and off or toadjust the temperature.

A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it willbe understood that various modifications may be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

For example, additional fabric layers may be added to enhance variousaesthetic and functional characteristics of the electric heating/warmingcomposite fabric article. Moreover, while the circuits in theimplementations discussed above have been series circuits, the circuitused in the heating/warming element-may be a parallel circuit, e.g., asshown in FIG. 21. In the heating/warming element 200, shown in FIG. 21,the relatively wide areas 202 act as buses, while the cut-out areas 204,206 provide areas of higher resistivity, as discussed above. The circuitshown in FIG. 21 also illustrates that the circuit need not besymmetrical, e.g., in the circuit shown in FIG. 21, there are threecut-out areas 206 in the upper region of the circuit, but only twocut-out areas 204 in the lower region of the circuit.

Furthermore, while circuits for gloves have been described above, by wayof example, the heating/warming element may be used a large variety ofother applications, including garment and home textile applications. Forexample, a heating/warming element 220, for use in a sock, shoe, orother article of footwear, is shown in FIG. 22. In the heating/warmingelement 220, the circuit includes a left hand portion 222 and a righthand portion 224, separated by a cut-out area 226. Cut-out area 226 isshaped to provide relatively wide bus areas 228 in the heel region, andrelatively narrower, higher resistivity areas 230 in the forefootregion. The toe portions 232 are narrowest of all, and thus have thehighest resistivity, so that the highest temperature will be generatedadjacent the wearer's toes. Also, although die cut materials aredescribed, other means can also be used to cut or shape the conductivefabric, e.g., the fabric can also be laser cut or cut using ultra sound.

Also, in the laminated and composite heating/warming element at leastpartially impregnated with thermoplastic film, should a partial break ortear occur in the electrical circuit formed by the conductive,metallized woven fabric, overheating (or, in more extreme conditions ofa tear, arcing) may occur in the break region while the circuit isconnected to a power source. The generation of heat due to overheatingor arcing will cause the opposed edges of the metallized woven fabric tomelt and recede from each other. The electric heating/warming elementwith thus perform in the manner of an active fuse to interrupt flow ofcurrent through the electrical circuit.

Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the claims.

1. A method of forming an electric heating/warming fabric article, themethod comprising: configuring a planar, sheet-form conductive layerelement, formed of electrically conductive material selected from thegroup consisting of metallized textile, metallized plastic sheeting, andmetal foil, into an electrically conductive circuit with shapecorresponding to a selected surface region of a wearer's body and withone or more circuit regions of relatively higher resistivity among oneor more circuit regions of relatively lower resistivity, the one or morecircuit regions of relatively higher resistivity positioned forcorrelation with one or more selected heating regions of the wearer'sbody; attaching said circuit to at least one of a first broad surfaceand a second broad surface of a fabric body in an arrangementcorresponding to the selected surface region and in correlation with theone or more selected heating regions; and, upon application ofelectrical current to said circuit, producing localized heating in theone or more circuit regions of relatively higher resistivity of thecircuit attached upon the fabric body for preferential heating of theone or more selected heating regions of the wearer's body.
 2. The methodof claim 1, comprising impregnating the electrically conductivemetallized textile with a suitable thermoplastic polymeric material tolock fibers of the electrically conductive metallized textile in amanner to resist local increase in resistivity due to physical stressfrom one or more of repeated crushing, bending and flexing.
 3. Themethod of claim 2, comprising applying the suitable thermoplasticpolymeric material in fluid state and forming a fabric laminateincorporating the impregnated electrically conducting metallizedtextile.
 4. The method of claim 3, comprising forming a laminate ofwoven fabric.
 5. The method of claim 4, comprising forming a laminate oflightweight woven fabric stable in warp and fill directions.
 6. Themethod of claim 2, comprising at least partially impregnating themetallized textile application of predetermined conditions of heat,pressure and time to at least one layer of the suitable thermoplasticpolymeric material in the form of a film disposed adjacent themetallized textile to be at least partially impregnated.
 7. The methodof claim 6, comprising applying heat of about 350° F. at pressure ofabout 7 psi for about 50 seconds.
 8. The method of claim 2, comprisingat least partially impregnating the metallized textile with a suitablethermoplastic polymeric barrier material having characteristics of beingair-and-water-droplet resistant and being water vapor permeable.
 9. Themethod of claim 8, comprising at least partially impregnating themetallized textile with urethane.
 10. The method of claim 1, whereinsaid configuring comprises die-cutting.
 11. The method of claim 1,wherein said configuring comprises subjecting a sheet material to metalcoating, plating or deposition.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein theattaching comprises joining the conductive layer and fabric body withadhesive.
 13. The method of claim 1, further comprising forming anarticle of clothing including said fabric body.
 14. The method of claim13, wherein the forming comprises shaping the circuit to conform to theshape of the article of clothing.
 15. The method of claim 13, whereinthe forming comprises shaping the circuit to conform to the shape of thearticle of clothing comprising an article selected from the groupconsisting of gloves, socks, sweaters, jackets, shirts, pants, hats,footwear, ear muffs, neck warmers, medical braces, medical bands, kneepads, back pads, and joint pads.
 16. The method of claim 13, wherein theforming comprises shaping the circuit to conform to the shape of aglove.
 17. The method of claim 13, wherein the forming comprises shapingthe circuit to conform to the shape of an article of footwear.
 18. Themethod of claim 13, wherein the forming comprises shaping the circuit toconform to the shape of a garment such as a shirt or jacket.
 19. Themethod of claim 1, comprising providing circuit regions of relativelyhigher resistivity by reducing cross-sectional area of one or moreselected regions of the circuit.
 20. The method of claim 1, comprisingproviding circuit regions of relatively higher resistivity by reducingconductivity of one or more selected regions of the circuit.
 21. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the electric heating/warming article isincorporated into an article of clothing, and the method furthercomprises positioning the one or more circuit regions of relativelyhigher resistivity for correlation with one or more selected heatingregions of the wearer's body adjacent the wearer's extremities when thearticle of clothing is worn.
 22. The method of claim 1, wherein themethod further comprises incorporating the electric heating/warmingarticle into an article of clothing, and positioning the one or morecircuit regions of relatively higher resistivity for correlation withone or more selected heating regions of the wearer's body adjacentregions of the wearer's body where blood flow is close to the skinsurface when the article of clothing is worn.
 23. The method of claim 1,wherein the attaching comprises attaching the circuit to at least onebroad surface of a fabric body comprising a textile material selectedfrom the group consisting of weft knitted materials, warp knittedmaterials, woven materials, and nonwoven materials.
 24. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the method further comprises interposing anair-and-water-droplet resistant, water vapor permeable barrier layerbetween the fabric body and the sheet-form conductive layer.
 25. Themethod of claim 24, further comprising attaching an outer surface of theair-and-water-droplet resistant, water vapor permeable barrier layer tothe fabric layer, and attaching an inner surface of the barrier layer tothe sheet-form conductive layer.
 26. The method of claim 25, wherein theattaching comprises joining the layers with adhesive.
 27. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising connecting the circuit to a power source, togenerate heating/warming.
 28. The method of claim 1, further comprisingincorporating the electric heating/warming fabric article into a homefurnishing textile article.
 29. The method of claim 28, wherein the hometextile article comprises a blanket, throw, sleeping bag or mattresscover.
 30. The method of claim 1, wherein the configuring of the circuitcomprises configuring the circuit as a series circuit.
 31. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the configuring of the circuit comprises configuringthe circuit as a parallel circuit.
 32. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising providing at least one of the first broad surface and thesecond broad surface of the fabric body with a smooth surface.
 33. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising providing at least one of thefirst broad surface and the second broad surface of the fabric body witha raised surface.
 34. The method of claim 1, further comprisingproviding at least one of the first broad surface and the second broadsurface of the fabric body with a brushed surface.
 35. A method offorming an electric heating/warming fabric article, the methodcomprising: die-cutting a sheet-form conductive layer to form anelectrically conductive circuit wherein a first portion of theconductive layer is relatively narrower to increase localized heatingand a second portion of the conductive layer is relatively wider todecrease localized heating; attaching said circuit to an outer surfaceof a fabric body; incorporating the fabric body into an article ofclothing; and connecting a power source to the circuit, therebyproducing localized heating of the fabric body upon application ofelectrical current to said circuit.
 36. A heating/warming fabricarticle, comprising: a fabric layer having a broad first surface and abroad second surface, and, attached to at least one of the broad firstsurface and the broad second surface, a planar, sheet-form conductivelayer element, formed of material selected from the group consisting ofmetallized textile, metallized plastic sheeting, and metal foil, formedinto an electrically conductive circuit with shape corresponding to aselected surface region of a wearer's body and with one or more circuitregions of relatively higher resistivity among one or more circuitregions of relatively lower resistivity, the one or more circuit regionsof relatively higher resistivity positioned for correlation with one ormore selected heating regions of the wearer's body, the sheet-formconductive layer element, upon application of electrical current to saidcircuit, producing localized heating in the one or more circuit regionsof relatively higher resistivity of the circuit attached upon the fabricbody for preferential heating of the one or more selected heatingregions of the wearer's body
 37. The heating/warming fabric article ofclaim 36, wherein the electrically conductive metallized textile isimpregnated with a suitable thermoplastic polymeric material that locksfibers of the electrically conductive metallized textile in a manner toresist local increase in resistivity due to physical stress of one ormore of repeated crushing, bending and flexing.
 38. The heating/warmingfabric article of claim 36, wherein the impregnated, electricallyconductive metallized textile is incorporated in a fabric laminate. 39.The heating/warming fabric article of claim 36, wherein the fabriclaminate is a woven fabric laminate.
 40. The heating/warming fabricarticle of claim 36, wherein the woven fabric laminate is a lightweightwoven fabric laminate stable in warp and fill directions.
 41. Theheating/warming fabric article of claim 37, wherein the metallizedtextile is at least partially impregnated with a suitable thermoplasticpolymeric barrier material having characteristics of beingair-and-water-droplet resistant and being water vapor permeable.
 42. Theheating/warming fabric article of claim 41, wherein the metallizedtextile is at least partially impregnated with urethane.
 43. Theheating/warming fabric article of claim 36, wherein the fabric layercomprises a textile material selected from the group consisting of weftknitted materials, warp knitted materials, woven materials, and nonwovenmaterials.
 44. The heating/warming fabric article of claim 36, whereinthe fabric article comprises an article of clothing.
 45. Theheating/warming fabric article of claim 44 wherein the article ofclothing comprises an article selected from the group consisting ofgloves, socks, sweaters, jackets, shirts, pants, hats, footwear, earmuffs, neck warmers, medical braces, medical bands, knee pads, backpads, and joint pads.
 46. The heating/warming fabric article of claim36, wherein the fabric article comprises a blanket, throw, sleeping bagor mattress cover.
 47. The heating/warming fabric article of claim 36,further comprising adhesive interposed between the conductive layer andfabric body.
 48. The heating/warming fabric article of claim 36, whereinthe areas of relatively higher resistivity and relatively lowerresistivity comprise regions of relatively lesser cross-sectional areaand relatively greater cross-sectional area, respectively.
 49. Theheating/warming fabric article of claim 36, wherein the fabric articlecomprises an article of clothing, and the one or more circuit regions ofrelatively higher resistivity positioned for correlation with one ormore selected heating regions of the wearer's body is positionedadjacent a wearer's extremities when the article of clothing is worn.50. The heating/warming fabric article of claim 36, wherein the fabricarticle comprises an article of clothing, and the one or more circuitregions of relatively higher resistivity positioned for correlation withone or more selected heating regions of the wearer's body is positionedadjacent regions of the wearer's body where arteries are close to theskin surface when the article of clothing is worn.
 51. Theheating/warming fabric article of claim 36, further comprising a barrierlayer between the fabric layer and sheet-formed conductive layer. 52.The heating/warming fabric article of claim 51, wherein the barrierlayer, fabric layer, and sheet-formed conductive layer are joined byadhesive.
 53. The heating/warming fabric article of claim 36, whereinsaid circuit comprises a series circuit.
 54. The heating/warming fabricarticle of claim 36, wherein said circuit comprises a parallel circuit.55. The heating/warming fabric article of claim 36, wherein said circuitis asymmetrical.
 56. The heating/warming fabric article of claim 36,further comprising a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature ofa portion of the circuit.
 57. The heating/warming fabric article ofclaim 56, wherein said temperature sensor is configured to measure thetemperature of a first portion of the circuit, and the first portion ofthe circuit is configured to have the same resistance as a secondportion of the circuit, to allow the temperature of the second portionto be estimated by measuring the temperature of the first portion. 58.The heating/warming fabric article of claim 56, further comprising acontroller configured to adjust the power supplied to the circuit inresponse to changes in the measured temperature.
 59. The heating/warmingfabric article of claim 36, wherein at least one surface of the fabriclayer has a smooth surface.
 60. The heating/warming fabric article ofclaim 36, wherein at least one surface of the fabric layer has a raisedsurface.
 61. The heating/warming fabric article of claim 36, wherein atleast one surface of the fabric layer has a brushed surface.
 62. Theheating/warming fabric article of claim 44, wherein the article ofclothing is gloves.
 63. The heating/warming fabric article of claim 44,wherein the article of clothing is footwear.
 64. The heating/warmingfabric article of claim 44, wherein the article of clothing is a garmentsuch as a shirt or jacket.